ESPN announces commentators for College Football Playoff semifinal matchups

Both of this year’s compelling College Football Playoff matchups will have an incredible atmosphere around them, and ESPN has announced the broadcasting teams tasked with relaying that to viewers at home.

The semifinal game between No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 3 Georgia in the Rose Bowl is first up at 5 p.m. ET. The company is pulling out its mainstays for this showdown with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit calling the game.

Fowler and Herbstreit will also call the national championship game, meaning Fowler and Herbstreit will still be the only pair to call each of the national championship games during the playoff era, which began four seasons ago.

Tom Rinaldi, who’s been a sideline reporter in each of the previous three seasons of the CFP, will report from the sidelines for Oklahoma, while Maria Taylor will do so for Georgia.

Following that will be the other semifinal between No. 1 Clemson and No. 4 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl at 8:45 p.m. ET. Calling that game will be Joe Tessitore and Todd Blackledge, with Holly Rowe as the sideline reporter. Laura Rutledge will also be on the team.

The winners of those contests will meet up for the ultimate prize on Monday, Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. ET.